Restructuring Charges and Other Exit-Related Costs Restructuring Reserve Rollforward (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total restructuring charges to date		$ 19,319
Total expected restructuring charges		19,750
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Charges	3,000	6,401	7,906	5,012
Q1’14 Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total restructuring charges to date		5,770
Total expected restructuring charges		6,150
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring reserve, beginning balance		0
Charges		5,770	0	0
Payments and Other		(4,601)
Restructuring reserve, ending balance	0	1,169	0
Q4’12 Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total restructuring charges to date		13,549
Total expected restructuring charges		13,600
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring reserve, beginning balance		3,305	2,955
Charges		631	7,906	5,012
Payments and Other		(2,947)	(7,556)
Restructuring reserve, ending balance	3,305	989	3,305	2,955
Severance costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total restructuring charges to date		9,791
Total expected restructuring charges		9,800
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Charges		4,607	2,443	2,741
Severance costs | Q1’14 Plan
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring reserve, beginning balance		0
Charges		4,651	0	0
Payments and Other		(3,982)
Restructuring reserve, ending balance	0	669	0
Severance costs | Q4’12 Plan
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring reserve, beginning balance		278	2,477
Charges		(44)	2,443	2,741
Payments and Other		(234)	(4,642)
Restructuring reserve, ending balance	278	0	278	2,477
Contract termination costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total restructuring charges to date		5,053
Total expected restructuring charges		5,400
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Charges		1,384	3,229	440
Contract termination costs | Q1’14 Plan
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring reserve, beginning balance		0
Charges		709	0	0
Payments and Other		(209)
Restructuring reserve, ending balance	0	500	0
Contract termination costs | Q4’12 Plan
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring reserve, beginning balance		3,027	414
Charges		675	3,229	440
Payments and Other		(2,713)	(616)
Restructuring reserve, ending balance	3,027	989	3,027	414
Other restructuring costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total restructuring charges to date		4,475
Total expected restructuring charges		4,550
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Charges		410	2,234	1,831
Other restructuring costs | Q1’14 Plan
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring reserve, beginning balance		0
Charges		410	0	0
Payments and Other		(410)
Restructuring reserve, ending balance	0	0	0
Other restructuring costs | Q4’12 Plan
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring reserve, beginning balance		0	64
Charges		0	2,234	1,831
Payments and Other		0	(2,298)
Restructuring reserve, ending balance	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 64